On October 22, 2008 an elite dog training facility 'High Caliber K9' in Youngstown, Ohio was raided. Steven S. Croley owner & trainer of High Caliber was arrested, charged and convicted on just 4 misdemeanor infractions for starving 19 dogs, 8 of which died.
Courtesy of Ohio's outdated and antiquated laws animal abusers can only be charged with misdemeanor penalties regardless of the severity or violence of their crime.
A total of 19 dogs suffered extreme starvation and 8 of them lost their lives; 1 Rottweiler, 3 Doberman Pinschers, 1 American Pit Bull Terrier, 1 Border Collie, and 2 German Shepherds. Each of these dogs had families and bright futures.
Croley was charged on just 4 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and was granted a plea bargain sentencing him to only 4 months in county jail with 13 days credited already having been served. He was released on Mother's Day 2009.
Ohio continues to rank at the bottom of animal protection legislation. The degradation of our Nation as a whole by the state of Ohio continues into the 21st century and only through legislation that allows for prosecution of animal cruelty with stronger penalties imposed on those found guilty, will Ohio be on the road to becoming a just and compassionate State.